Berries, at great personal cost

The way things are going, I may well die from a poison berry. But blackberries are always a welcome old friend in a strange new forest. Up for more discussion is what surrounding the berries gave me a nasty if temporary case of hives — and there is no surer route to madness for me than hives. But I’d be damned if I were going to leave with hives and no berries. These were small and sweet and delicate. Not like your out-of-control fat juicy Richmond, Calif., berries, for example, which are sometimes a little low on the flavor despite all the bravado. They made a lovely pie, along with some sour cherries from the farmer’s market.

Sour cherries aren't really sour. Not when you add a big pile of sugar.

About the author

I’m Kate Golden, a reporter who left Juneau, Alaska, just when the cohos started to come in. I’m on the hunt for wild berries, mushrooms, nuts, fish and critters in urban Madison, Wisconsin. Plus transcendental dumplings, or whatever else is out there.